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DESCRIPTION
Cirrhosis of the liver is a degenerative inflammatory disease that results in hardening and scarring of the liver cells. The liver becomes unable to function properly due to the scarred tissue, which prevents the normal passage of blood through the liver.
CAUSE
The most common cause of cirrhosis of the liver is excessive alcohol consumption. Liver disease resulting from alcohol intake is the 4th leading cause of death among people aged 25 to 64 in urban areas of the United States. A less frequent cause of cirrhosis is the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is estimated that 4 million people in the United States have hepatitis C, and about 85 percent of those will go on to develop chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis. Blood transfusions given before routine testing for HCV are presumed to be the main cause of the rising number of people infected with HCV. Malnutrition and chronic inflammation can also lead to liver malfunction.
SYMPTOMS
In the early stages, symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver may include constipation or diarrhea, fever, upset stomach, fatigue, weakness, poor appetite, generalized itching, weight loss, enlarged liver, vomiting, red palms, and swelling of the abdomen and legs. Those in the later stages of the disease may develop anemia, bruising due to bleeding under the skin, jaundice and edema. People with alcoholic cirrhosis may experience no symptoms, or they may develop very slowly. About 30,000 American die each year from the disease.
MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: The Liver
COMPLICATIONS
Complications of cirrhosis are commonplace, and as the disease develops, the liver starts losing its ability to function. This can lead to:
- High blood pressure in the veins that connect the digestive system with the liver. This is called portal hypertension. It can cause thinning of the walls of the vessels, with possible rupture in the areas of the esophagus and stomach.
- Fluid buildup in the abdomen (called ascites), or in the legs or feet (called edema). Severe ascites can make breathing difficult by pressing on the diaphragm, and can lead to blood poisoning.
- Kidney failure, which often follows or is a result of liver disease.
- Encephalopathy, diseases of the brain, may develop because toxins that the liver usually removes are not removed. The toxins can then be carried to the brain to cause anything from anxiousness and drowsiness to disorientation and coma.
TREATMENT
Cirrhosis is usually permanent once you have developed it, but its progress can be slowed down by completely abstaining from alcohol, changing your diet to include fresh fruits and vegetables along with whole grains, and carefully checking to make sure any drugs you are taking are not toxic to the liver. Some drugs you are more dangerous in combination with each other than individually for people with cirrhosis. Also, many supplements and herbals can have an effect on the liver and they also need to be considered in the mix.
Check with your health care provider or pharmacist regarding the effects and possible harmful interactions.
Individuals with advanced stages of cirrhosis/liver damage may need to consult with their health care providers about surgery and liver transplant options and whether or not this option is available for you. There is a long waiting list of recipients for a liver transplant, it is a very expensive procedure that may or may not be covered by health insurance and the transplant guidelines have very strict limitations on who will be considered for this option. People who still consume alcohol or has active hepatitis will not usually be considered for the surgery. Age, general health and lifestyle habits may also be seriously considered during the screening process.
Before making a decision about a liver transplant, learn about the organ transplant process, including getting listed in the organ recipient registry, the surgery itself, potential risks and follow-up care. The liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate itself, but it sometimes sustains severe damage that can not be reversed. In such cases, a liver transplant may be an option for some people. Although a liver transplant may be needed for sudden liver failure caused by toxins or severe infection, it is more often a final treatment option for long-term, progressive liver disease. Because many people must wait more than two years for a liver transplant, your health care provider may begin discussing transplantation with you long before you actually need it.
CONDITIONS LEADING TO LIVER TRANSPLANT
Cirrhosis: Irreversible damage to liver cells. This is the most common reason for liver transplants in adults. It occurs when scar tissue replaces healthy cells and prevents normal liver function. Conditions that may cause cirrhosis and the need for a liver transplant include:
- Chronic hepatitis B and C.
- Diseases of the bile ducts.
- Alcoholic liver disease.
- Autoimmune liver diseases.
- Buildup of fat in the liver.
In children, the conditions that most often cause liver damage that may lead to a transplant are:
- Defects in the liver or bile ducts present at birth.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Liver cancer.
- Sudden liver failure from drugs.
THE FIRST STEPS IN THE TRANSPLANT JOURNEY
If your health care provider recommends a liver transplant, you will likely be referred to a transplant center for an evaluation. Discuss with your health insurance provider which transplant centers are covered under your insurance plan. Most transplant programs offer the services of social workers and financial coordinators, who can help you work through financial issues associated with transplant surgery.
When selecting a transplant center, take into account the number of liver transplants the center performs each year and the recipient survival rates. You can compare transplant center statistics through a database maintained by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. In addition, consider support services provided by a transplant center. Many centers coordinate support groups, assist you with travel arrangements, help you find local housing for your recovery period or direct you to organizations that can help with these concerns.
Once you select a liver transplant center, expect to undergo an evaluation to determine whether you meet the transplant center's eligibility requirements. The evaluation will assess whether you:
- Have a medical condition that would benefit from a transplant.
- Are not likely to benefit from other treatment options.
- Are healthy enough to undergo surgery and post-transplant treatments.
- Are willing and able to take medications as directed.
- Have sufficient emotional stamina to undergo the wait for a donor organ and have a supportive network of family and friends to help you during this stressful time.
If liver failure is the result of alcohol or drug abuse, you will be evaluated to determine whether you currently abstain from use, have received adequate chemical dependency treatment and are at risk of using alcohol or drugs after the transplant.
WAITING FOR A DONOR ORGAN
If it is determined that you are a good candidate for a transplant, you will be registered on a nationwide waiting list. When a donor organ becomes available, the donor-recipient matching system, administered by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), makes an appropriate match. Your medical team will assign you a score that represents how urgently you need a transplant in order to survive. For adults 18 years of age and older, the score is a number between 6 and 40 on a scale called the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, or MELD. The higher the number, the more urgent the need for a transplant. Your MELD score may go up or down while you wait for a transplant. Your medical team will evaluate your status frequently and update your score as necessary. The Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease, or PELD, scale is a similar 6- to 40-point scale for transplant candidates under the age of 18. An extremely urgent case, or status 1 liver failure, supersedes the MELD and PELD scores. These individuals have sudden or nearly complete liver failure and have a life expectancy of less than seven days.
LIVER TRANSPLANT PREPARATION
A liver transplant from a deceased donor (cadaver) needs to occur within 12 to 24 hours after the liver is removed from the donor for the organ to remain viable. The transplant center will most likely provide you with a pager or cell phone to notify you when a potential donor organ is available.
When you arrive at the hospital, a team will prepare you for surgery. The surgeon will also do a final assessment of the donor liver to ensure it is healthy and a good match.
Split- & Living-Donor Liver Transplants - The need for livers far outpaces the number of donations. On any given day, 15,000 to 17,000 people are waiting to receive a liver transplant in the United States, yet annually there are only enough available livers for about a third of them. One strategy to address the limited supply is to split a large and healthy liver from a deceased donor into two parts. Usually, an adult receives the right lobe (about 60 percent of the liver) and a child or adolescent receives the left lobe (about 40 percent). An even smaller portion may be used for an infant. Because of the liver's ability to regenerate itself, these partial organs will increase in size after being transplanted. Living-donor transplants are also becoming more common at some transplant centers. Living donors can donate part of their liver to a recipient, the right lobe to an adult or left lobe to a child or adolescent. The remaining portion of the donor's healthy liver regenerates itself to full size within a few weeks. Donors are at risk of certain complications, including infections, bleeding or abnormal liver function. Most of these problems eventually go away without long-term effects. There is also a very slight risk of death to the donor. To reduce the risk of complications, donors are carefully screened to assess their general health, liver health and risk of liver disease.
THE SURGERY
A liver transplant often takes three to five hours, but the time can vary significantly. The diseased liver is removed through an incision in your upper abdomen. The donor liver is then placed inside your abdomen, and blood vessels from your body are attached to those of the new liver. The bile duct of the donor liver is attached to your bile duct or to a segment of intestine so that bile can drain into your small intestine.
After the surgery, you will have some pain, which will be treated with medications. Recovery often involves a five- to 10-day hospital stay, depending on how well you and your new liver are doing. You will also undergo frequent assessments during the following two to four weeks and will be expected to have living accommodations within a relatively short commute of the transplant center.
AFTER THE SURGERY - POST-TRANSPLANT TREATMENT
Key to understanding post-transplant treatment is the concept that a transplanted organ is foreign tissue to your body. Your immune system will attack a new liver just as it would a viral infection. Your new drug regimen after the transplant will include immunosuppressants - medications that suppress the activity of your immune system - so that your immune system will not attack your transplanted liver. Because your immune system will most likely never get completely used to the new organ, you will take some of these medications for the rest of your life.
Because immunosuppressants make your body more vulnerable to infection, your health care provider may also prescribe antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal medications. Some immunosuppressants can also raise your risk of developing certain conditions or complicating others you may already have, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and cancer. Your post-transplant treatment, therefore, will be a delicate balancing act focusing on preventing rejection, managing unwanted side effects and maintaining enough disease-fighting power to ward off infection. Your health care provider will monitor your treatment closely and adjust it as necessary. Along with taking medication, you will be expected to follow a diet and exercise routine designed to keep you and your new liver healthy.
NEW LIVER FAILURE - ORGAN REJECTION
Some transplanted livers lose their ability to function. Your new liver may fail because of organ rejection, because the underlying causes of liver disease damaged the new organ or because of other factors that couldn't be controlled. If this happens, you can be considered for a second transplant, or you may choose to discontinue treatment. These decisions will depend on your current health and ability to undergo surgery. Discussions with your transplant team, health care provider and family should address your expectations and preferences for treatment.
HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS
RECOMMENDATIONS & NUTRIENTS
HERBS
Alfalfa helps to build a healthy digestive tract and is a good source of vitamin K. It helps to prevent bleeding as a result of vitamin K deficiency, which is common with cirrhosis. It can be taken in tablet or liquid form.
Aloe Vera helps to cleanse and heal the digestive tract. Drink 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice every morning and evening. George's Aloe Vera Juice from Warren Laboratories is a good product. It can be taken in a cup of herbal tea if you wish.
Burdock root, Dandelion, and Red Clover aid in liver repair by cleansing the bloodstream.
Use Celandine and Silymarin ( Milk Thistle Extract) daily to help maintain liver function. Silymarin has been shown in scientific studies to repair and rejuvenate the liver. Liv-R-Actin from Nature's Plus is a good source of milk thistle. Take 200 mg of silymarin (milk thistle extract) 3 times daily, before meals. Caution: Do not use Celandine during pregnancy.
HerbalRemedies: Thisilyn, Milk Thistle Extract, Nature's Way, 175 mg, 100 VCaps
Other herbs that can be beneficial for people with cirrhosis include Barberry, Black Radish, Echinacea, Fennel, Goldenseal, Hops, Horsetail, Irish Moss, Rose Hips, Suma, Thyme, and Wild Oregon Grape. Caution: Do not use barberry, goldenseal, or wild Oregon grape during pregnancy. Do not take goldenseal on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, and use it only under supervision if you have a history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or glaucoma.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Obtain protein from vegetable sources; do not eat foods containing animal proteins.
Eat a diet consisting of 75% raw foods. If cirrhosis is severe, consume only fresh vegetables and fruits and their juices for two weeks.
Increase your consumption of and include in your diet foods high in potassium, such as bananas, blackstrap molasses, brewer's yeast, dulse, kelp, prunes, raisins, rice and wheat bran.
Eat plenty of foods high in vitamin K. Persons with cirrhosis of the liver are often deficient in vitamin K. Good sources of vitamin K include alfalfa sprouts and green leafy vegetables.
Include legumes (kidney beans, peas, and soybeans) and seeds in your diet. These foods contain the amino acid arginine, which helps to detoxify ammonia, a byproduct of protein digestion.
Drink fresh vegetable juices, such as beet, carrot, dandelion extract, and green drinks.
Drink plenty of water (steam-distilled or quality bottled water) or sip barley water throughout the day. When taking supplements, always take them with a full glass of water.
Use only cold-pressed vegetable oils as sources for dietary fats. Consume oils in uncooked form only, such as in salad dressings.
Limit your intake of fish - haddock, bluefish, salmon, and sardines - to a maximum of 2 servings a week, and do not eat raw or under cooked seafood. A damaged liver cannot handle the amount of vitamin A contained in these foods. Avoid cod liver oil.
Keep the colon clean. Toxins accumulate in the liver and must be excreted via the colon and kidneys.
Avoid constipating foods. The liver has to work twice as hard if you are constipated. Be sure your diet contains sufficient amounts of choline, inositol, and lecithin, as well as bulk and fiber. Make sure you are getting plenty of fluids in your daily diet to help prevent constipation.
Do not use harsh laxatives to cleanse the system. Lemon enemas are preferred; take these twice weekly. You can also alternate wheatgrass enemas with coffee enemas for two weeks. Both of these detoxify the system.
Do not take any drugs (over-the-counter or prescription) except for those prescribed by your health care provider. Some over-the-counter products, including some medicines for children, contain alcohol in the form of propylene glycol. This product may cause liver problems and a mild form of drunkenness.
Perform a 3 day fast once every 30 days. To help cleanse the liver while fasting, drink beet juice, carrot juice, black radish extract, and dandelion extract. Chlorophyll and distilled water with lemon are excellent blood purifiers and liver cleansers. Regular cleansing of the body, especially the liver, is vital to maintaining good health.
Avoid coffee, fowl, meat, salt, soft drinks, sugar, tea, and spicy foods. Do not consume alcohol in any form. Also eliminate the following from your diet: animal products, including milk, candies, pastries, pepper, spices, stimulants of any kind including caffeine and colas, white rice, products containing white flour. Virtually all commercial prepared foods contain some of the above.
Read all food labels carefully, and avoid most fats. Do not eat any of the following: butter, margarine, vegetable shortening, and any other hardened fats; fried or fatty foods; melted or hard cheeses; nuts or oils that have been subjected to heal (either in processing or in cooking); potato chips; and all refined and processed foods. These overwork and damage the liver.
Do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke.
CONSIDERATIONS
If alcoholic cirrhosis is detected in the early stages and the individual stops consuming alcohol, it may be possible to halt the damage to the liver.
In one study, people with cirrhosis of the liver have been found to have an imbalance of essential fatty acids, which are needed for cell production. After taking 10 capsules of primrose oil daily for three weeks, these individuals showed a marked improvement in the balance of their fatty acids.
Animal studies indicate that the typical American diet is damaging to the liver. Improper diet results in allergies, digestive disorders, a low energy level, and an inability to detoxify harmful substances.
The four basic reasons for poor liver function are: 1. The presence of cumulative poisons. Insecticides, preservatives, and other toxins can build up in and impair the liver. Even though a particular toxin may not accumulate in the liver, liver function may suffer if the functioning of other organs, especially the pancreas and/or kidneys, is adversely affected by the toxin.
2. An improper diet. A diet that is low in protein and high in carbohydrates and fats, especially saturated fats, fried foods, and hydrogenated fats, is hard on the liver and may not provide sufficient protein building blocks necessary for repair. Poor food choices include processed foods, junk foods, refined white flour products, white sugar products, and imitation foods that are designed to appear and taste like an original product but that have been robbed of natural vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
3. Overeating. Overeating is probably the most common cause of liver malfunction. Overeating creates excess work for the liver, resulting in liver fatigue. In addition, the liver must detoxify all of the various chemicals present in our food supply today. When the liver is overworked, it may not detoxify harmful substances properly.
4. Drugs. Drugs put a great strain on the liver. Drugs are substances that are foreign and unnatural to the body. These foreign substances cause the liver to work overtime in excreting these toxins. The liver neutralizes the effects of drugs on the body. Alcohol is particularly toxic to the liver. When excessive amounts of alcohol enter the liver, the liver begins to lose its functioning capacity. Other substances that can contribute to liver malfunction include oral contraceptives and caffeine.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Unless otherwise specified, the following recommended doses are for adults over the age of 18. For a child between 12 and 17 years, reduce the dose to 3/4 the recommended dose. For a child between 6 and 12 years old, use 1/2 the recommended dose, and for a child under 6, use 1/4 the recommended dose.
NUTRIENTS Supplement Suggested Dosage Comments Essential Liquid Kyolic
(Take with B-1 & B-12)As directed on label. An excellent liver detoxifier.
Phosphatidyl Choline
Plus
Choline & InositolAs directed on label.
As directed on label.For fatty liver.
Choline Supplement, 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 500 mg, 100 Tabs,
Lecithin Fine Vegetarian Granules, NOW Foods, 97% Phosphatides, Pure & Fresh, 1 lb.,
Choline & Inositol, 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 250 mg / 250 mg, 100 Caps,Essential Fatty Acids
(Primrose Oil)500 mg twice daily, with meals. To prevent an imbalance of fatty acids, found in cirrhosis of the liver.
Barlean's Primrose Oil, With Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), 1300 mg, 120 SoftGels,
Evening Primrose Oil, Cold Pressed, Nature's Way, 500 mg, 250 Softgels,
Evening Primrose Oil, NOW Foods, 100% Pure, 4 fl. oz.,Vitamin B Complex 100 mg 3 times daily. (Amounts of individual vitamins in a complex will vary.) The B vitamins are necessary for proper digestion, absorption of nutrients, and formation of red blood cells. Use a high-potency formula. Injections may be necessary under a health care provider's supervision.
Ultimate B (Vitamin B Complex), Nature's Secret, 60 Tabs,
Vitamin B-100 Complex, w/ Coenzyme B-2, Nature's Way, 631 mg, 100 CapsPlus Extra
Vitamin B-121,000-2,000 mcg daily. To prevent anemia and protect against nerve damage. Use a lozenge or sublingual form. Injections may be necessary. If injections are not available, use a lozenge or sublingual form.
Vitamin B-12 Complex Liquid, NOW Foods, 2 fl. oz.And
Folic Acid200 mcg daily. To correct deficiencies.
Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid), 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 800 mcg, 100 CapsVery Important Bifido Factor
From Natren
Or
Kyo-Dophilus
From WakunagaBifido Factor: As directed on label. Take on an empty stomach.
Kyo-Dophilus: 2 to 3 capsules 3 times daily.Bifido Factor: Repairs liver cells and aids in healing.
Kyo-Dophilus: Human-cultured flora from the small intestine, primarily to improve assimilation of nutrients. Detoxifies ammonia.Garlic (Kyolic) 2 tablets 3 times daily, with meals. Detoxifies the liver and bloodstream.
Infla-Zyme Forte
American BiologicsAs directed on label. Balanced potent enzymes that act to inhibit inflammation. L-Arginine
Plus
L-Cysteine
And
L-Methionine500 mg each daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice. Do not take with milk. Take with 50 mg vitamin B-6 and 100 mg vitamin C for better absorption. Helps to detoxify ammonia, a byproduct of protein digestion that can accumulate when the liver isn't functioning properly. Helps detoxify harmful toxins. Aids in liver detoxification.
L-Arginine, Pharmaceutical Grade, Free Form, NOW Foods, 500 mg, 100 Caps,
L-Cysteine, Structural Support, With Vitamin B-6 & C, Vegetarian, NOW Foods, 500 mg, 100 Tabs,
L-Methionine, NOW Foods, 500 mg, Plus B-6, 10 mg, 100 CapsL-Carnitine
Plus
L-Glutathione500 mg daily, on an empty stomach. Helps prevent accumulation of fat in the liver.
A powerful antioxidant that protects against liver cancer.
L-Carnitine, Stable Tartrate Form, NOW Foods, 500 mg, 60 Caps,
L-Glutathione, NOW Foods, 250 mg, 60 CapsLecithin Granules
Or
Capsules1 tablespoon 3 times daily, with meals.
2,400 mg 3 times daily, with meals.A powerful fat emulsifier.
Lecithin Vegetarian Granules, NOW Foods, 97% Phosphatides, Identity Preserved Non-GE, 1 lb,
Lecithin Liquid, NOW Foods, Vegetarian, 16 fl. oz.,
Lecithin Concentrate, Nature's Way, 400 mg, 100 SoftGelsMulti-Enzyme Complex
With
Betaine
And
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)As directed on label. Take with each meal. Needed for digestion to lessen the strain on the liver.
Betaine HCl (Hydrochloric Acid), NOW Foods, 120 Caps,
Plant Enzymes, NOW Foods, Vegetarian, 120 VCaps,
Enzymes, All Complete, 250 mg, 90 Caps,
MetabolicZyme (Hypoallergenic), Allergy Research Group / Nutricology, 900 Tabs,Ox Bile Extract As directed on label. Replaces the digestive enzymes normally produced by the gallbladder. Colostrum As directed on label. Improves immune function and protects the liver.
Colostrum, 480 mg, 120 Caps,
Colostrum Chewables, Natural Vanilla Flavor, 480 mg, 90 Chewables,
Super Strength FarmFresh Colostrum Chewables, Natural Vanilla Flavor, 480 mg, 60 Chews,Probiotics
(Probiata - Wakunaga)As directed on label. A non-dairy unrefrigerated acidophilus formula that acts as a detoxifier.
Ultimate Probiotic Supplement, 4 Billion, 45 Tabs,
Probiotic Defense, NOW Foods, 90 Caps,
Gr8-Dophilus Probiotic, NOW Foods, 60 VCapsRaw Liver Extract As directed on label. Prevents anemia and aids in building the liver. S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) As directed on label. Provides antioxidant effects that improve the health of the liver. Caution: Do not use if you have manic-depressive disorder or take prescription antidepressants.
SAM-e, Enteric Coated, NOW Foods, 100 mg, 30 TabsTaurine Plus
(American Biologics)20 drops 3 times daily. The most important antioxidant for health and stress from free radical damage. Use the sublingual form. Silymarin (Milk Thistle extract)
Or
Liv-R-Actin
(Nature's Plus)200 mg of silymarin or 2 capsules of Liv-R-Actin 3 times daily, before meals. Repairs and rejuvenates the liver and helps maintain liver function.
Thisilyn, Milk Thistle Extract, Nature's Way, 175 mg, 100 VCaps,Important Alfalfa As directed on label. Helps build a healthy digestive tract and a good source of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps to prevent bleeding as a result of vitamin K deficiency, which is common with cirrhosis. It can be taken in liquid or tablet form.
Alfa Max, Alfalfa Extract, Nature's Way, 525 mg, 100 Caps,
Chlorofresh Liquid (Alfalfa), Mint Flavor, Nature's Way, 16 fl. oz.,
Alfalfa Powder, Whole Food Supplement, NOW Foods, l lb.,
Alfalfa, NOW Foods, 650 mg, 500 Tabs,
Alfalfa Leaves, Nature's Way, 405 mg, 100 CapsCalcium 1,500 mg daily in divided doses, after meals and at bedtime. To promote healing of tissue.
Calcium Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 700 +/- ppm, 16 fl. oz.,
Liquid Calcium W/ConcenTrace, Orange Vanilla, Trace Minerals, 1000 mg, 32 fl. oz.,
Cal-Mag Pre-Chelated Calcium & Magnesium, Vital Earth, 240 GelcapsMagnesium 750 mg daily. Needed to balance with calcium. Beneficial for the nervous system. Use chelate forms.
Magnesium Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 350 +/- ppm, 16 fl. oz.,
Just An Ounce Calcium & Magnesium Liquid, Almond Flavor, 16 fl. oz.,
Calcium & Magnesium Mineral Complex, 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 500 mg / 250 mg, 250 CapsDimethylglycine (DMG) As directed on label. Supplies oxygen for healing.
DMG Supplement N,N Dimethyl Glycine, NOW Foods, 125 mg, 100 CapsVitamin C With Bioflavonoids 3,000-8,000 mg daily in divided doses. An important antioxidant. Use a buffered form.
Vitamin C Liquid w/ Rose Hips & Bioflavonoids, Kosher, Natural Citrus Flavor, Dynamic Health, 1000 mg, 16 fl. oz.,
Ester C With Bioflavonoids, Nature's Way, 1000 mg, 90 Tabs,
Vitamin C 1000 With Bioflavonoids, Nature's Way, 100% Natural, 1000 mg, 250 VCaps,
The Right C, Nature's Way, 1000 mg, 120 TabsHelpful Alpha Lipoic Acid 400 mg daily. Acts as a powerful antioxidant and balances blood sugar levels.
Alpha Lipoic Acid, NOW Foods, 250 mg, 60 CapsCoenzyme Q-10 100 mg daily. Promotes tissue oxygenation.
CoQ10, Vegetarian Coenzyme, NOW Foods, 30 mg, 60 VCaps,
CoQ10, Now Foods, 400 mg, 60 SoftgelsCoenzyme A As directed on label. Works with Coenzyme Q-10 and removes toxic substances from the body.
Pantethine (Coenzyme A Precursor), Highly Active Form of Vitamin B-5, 300 mg, NOW Foods, 60 SoftgelsFree-Form Amino Acid Complex As directed on label. A good source of protein that is easy on the liver.
AMINO 1000 Complete, NOW Foods, 120 Caps,
Branched Chain Amino Acid Powder, NOW Foods, 12 oz.,
Amino 1500, Chewable Blend of 20 Amino Acids, Predigested, NOW Foods, 150 Tabs,
Branched Chain Amino Acids, Free Form, 120 CapsPycnogenol
Or
Grape Seed ExtractAs directed on label. Powerful antioxidant. Aids the liver in removing toxic substances from the body.
Pycnogenol W/ Vitamin E, 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 50 mg, 30 Tabs, Grape Seed (Grapeseed) (Vitus vinifera), 100% Pure, NOW Foods, 16 fl. oz.Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP-6)
(Cell Forte
From
Enzymatic Therapy)As directed on label. Aids in reducing the buildup of fats in the liver.
Inositol (Vitamin B-8), 100% Natural, Pure Crystalline, Nature's Way, 500 mg, 100 Caps,
Cell Forte, MAX3 IP-6 & Inositol Plus Maitake & Cat's Claw, Enzymatic Therapy, 120 UltraCaps.Selenium 200 mcg daily. Do not exceed a total daily intake of 800 mcg daily from all sources, including diet. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 40 mcg daily. A good detoxifier. Caution: Do not take supplemental selenium if you are pregnant or have heart, kidney, or liver disease.
Selenium Supplement, Yeast Free, NOW Foods, 200 mcg, 180 Caps,
Selenium Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 50 +/- ppm, 16 fl. oz.,
Ionic Selenium, Trace Minerals, 300 mcg, 2 fl. oz.,
Selenium, 100% Natural, Nature's way, 200 mcg, 100 CapsVitamin A
(Micellized Vitamin A Emulsion)As directed on label. Do not exceed 10,000 IU daily. Needed for healing. Use emulsion form for easier assimilation and greater safety at higher doses. Caution: Do not substitute pill forms of vitamin A for emulsion. Pills put extra stress on the liver. Vitamin D As directed on label. To correct deficiencies.
Vitamin D, Nature's Way, 100% Natural, 400 IU, 100 CapsVitamin E 200 IU daily. Do not exceed this amount. A potent antioxidant that aids circulation. Use d-alpha-tocopherol form, if available. Zinc 50 mg daily. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg daily from all supplements. Needed for the immune system, improves immune function and helps in the healing and repair of tissues. Use zinc gluconate lozenges or OptiZinc for best absorption.
Zinc Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 100 +/- ppm, 16 fl. oz.,
Colloidal Silver & Zinc Lozenges, Silva Solution, 90 Lozenges,
Zinc Lozenges W/ Echinacea & Vitamin C, Nature's Way, 23 mg, 60 Lozenges,
Zinc Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 100 +/- ppm, 16 fl. oz.,
Zinc (Chelated), 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 30 mg, 100 CapsSpiru-tein
(Nature's Plus)As directed on label. Take between meals. A vegetable protein drink that supplies essential amino acids and stabilizes the blood sugar. It comes in assorted flavors and two sizes.
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